How far is Detroit, MI from Skidway Lake, MI?

The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Skidway Lake, MI is about 160 miles (257.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 137.3 miles (221 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
160.03 mi
02h 56m
Flight
137.3 mi
220.96 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Detroit.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
137.3 mi
Kilometers
220.96 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
160.03 mi
Kilometers
257.55 km
Drive Time
02h 56m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Skidway Lake
Sat, Apr 18, 10:35 AM EDT
Return by in Detroit
Sat, Apr 18, 1:32 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Detroit
2026-04-18T07:39
Arrive Skidway Lake
Sat, Apr 18, 10:35 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:38 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Detroit
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Clio
MI

City in Michigan, United States

From Detroit
80 mi
01h 28m
To Skidway Lake
80 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 to 18 mph SSW
Destination
65°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit and Skidway Lake.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Skidway Lake.

  1. 1

    Start on Cadillac Square

    634 ft · 29 sec · Cadillac Square

  2. 2

    Continue on Cadillac Square

    30 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square

  3. 3

    Turn slight left onto Randolph Street

    950 ft · 38 sec · Randolph Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Monroe Street

    2106 ft · 1 min · Monroe Street

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Chrysler Drive

    10 m · 1 sec · Chrysler Drive

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight left

    854 ft · 21 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

    60 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw

    52.4 mi · 56 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    38.6 mi · 39 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward M 33: Alger, Rose City

    2088 ft · 60 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto West Alger Road

    1 km · 57 sec · West Alger Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Brock Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Brock Road

  13. 13

    Continue on South M-33

    1 mi · 1 min · South M-33

  14. 14

    Turn right onto East Greenwood Road

    4.8 mi · 8 min · East Greenwood Road

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Greenwood Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Skidway Lake.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75
91 mi · 57%
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
60 mi · 37%
East Greenwood Road
4.75 mi · 3%
Brock Road
1.4 mi · 1%
South M-33
1.01 mi · 1%
West Alger Road
0.64 mi
Longest Stretch

Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

60 mi · 01h 05m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.7 mi
137.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clio
01h 28m from Detroit
Leave By
12:38 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Detroit and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Skidway Lake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Skidway Lake?

The road trip is about 160 miles (257.5 km) and usually takes 02h 56m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Clio is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80 miles from Detroit and 80 miles from Skidway Lake.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 137.3 miles (221 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.31 one way or $42.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Detroit and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Skidway Lake.

Stop Ideas Near Clio

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Clio, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clio.

RAIL

Flint station

19 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway
BUS

Saginaw, MI

33 mi away
511 Johnson Street
RAIL

Durand Union Station

36 mi away
200 South Railroad St.
RAIL

Lapeer station

38 mi away
73 Howard St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Skidway Lake. Straight-line distance: 137.3 mi (220.96 km).

Detroit

#1 Detroit

The twenty-fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Detroit metropolitan area.

Population665,369
Coordinates42.3314300, -83.0457500
Altitude183
CountryUnited States
Skidway Lake

#2 Skidway Lake

Unincorporated community in Michigan

Population3,392
Coordinates44.1833500, -84.0352700
Altitude243
CountryUnited States
Start: Detroit (-83.04575, 42.33143)
End: Skidway Lake (-84.03527, 44.18335)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 258 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 12m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.65 gal
21.38 L · about $21.31
Round trip
$42.61
11.3 gal · 42.76 L
Estimated CO2
50.2 kg one way
Round trip: 100.4 kg / 221 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.31 $42.61
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.03 $48.06
Premium $4.65 $26.30 $52.59
Diesel $5.30 $29.97 $59.94

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Michigan · Apr 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Detroit and Skidway Lake. The current time is 07:39:35.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.